The Exercise of Vital Powers

Synopsis written by Richard Heider.
*Alternate synopsis written by Rosa L. Smothers can be read here.

TEASER
Back on Mars.

YOUR TELEVISION SCREEN

A short burst of static gives way to an image of Commander Susan Ivanova at her new Voice of the Resistance desk. This might be a good time to mention that she and Captain Sheridan have been sporting a new addition to their Minbari-designed black-and-silver uniforms for a couple of episodes, a coat worn over the jacket, open at the front and flowing down to mid-thigh. Rank insignia are displayed on shoulderboards; the B5 sword-and-shield is on the left sleeve at the shoulder and the Ranger insignia on the right. The contrasting material that borders the neck and flows down both sides of the front to the bottom looks too much like a priest's stole to be an accident.

Ivanova: This is Commander Susan Ivanova, bringing you the Voice of the Resistance. The Liberation Fleet continues to retake territory held in violation of the Earth Alliance Constitution. More ships on the other side continue to defect, carrying stories of atrocities carried out under the direct orders of President Clark. In addition to the liberation of Proxima 3, the colony at Beta Durani and the midrange military base have also been freed. The long march toward Earth continues.

SPACE

The Liberation Fleet sails on its way. A bitter Michael Garibaldi dictates his personal log in voiceover.

Garibaldi (VO): Personal log, Michael Garibaldi. It's started. They're really doing it! This is what I was afraid would happen, but it's been coming for a long time --- ever since Sheridan got back.

Aboard White Star 2, Sheridan sits in the captain's chair, lost in thought.

Garibaldi (VO): Before he went to Z'ha'dum, he never would have gone up against his own, our own government like this! I don't know, maybe he thinks he's Alexander the Great, and maybe he thinks he's John the Baptist, and maybe he wants to take over the whole operation for himself. That's the part that worries me.

MARS

A tube shuttle is traveling out from the domed city. Michael's log continues.

Garibaldi (VO): That's the part that made me come back here. Mars! I can't believe I'm back on Mars!

Aboard the shuttle, Michael rides, seated across from Wade. Out the front window, another dome grows slowly as the shuttle approaches.

Garibaldi (VO): Three times before, this place almost killed me! I swore I'd never give it another chance to finish the job! Humans got no business being here. No business at all!

The log ends for the moment, as Wade speaks.

Wade: It's almost time. You have to put this on now. [He holds a blindfold in his hands.]
Garibaldi [snorts]: I think you've been watching too many spy vids.
Wade: You wanna see the big guy, you gotta play by the big guy's rules. I'm really sorry if this troubles you, Mr. Garibaldi. You're the type of guy who doesn't like to give up control. I can see that. And I sympathize, I really do. But it's either this, or I put you on the next transport out.
Garibaldi [leans in]: I'm gonna look stupid. [Leans back again.]
Wade: You know, at certain times of our lives, we all look stupid, but I think the key is not to mind it. Now, Mr. Edgars has gone through a lot of trouble to clear you through this blockade. The average guy would be very grateful, wouldn't want to cause Mr. Edgars any more trouble.
Garibaldi: I'm not your average guy.
Wade: No, you're not! That's a very good point! I'm not either. Mr. Edgars doesn't like average guys. He likes his people smart! Well-spoken. Presentable. ------ I ever tell you I have a master's in literature?
Garibaldi: Well, don't take this personally, but you don't seem the type.
Wade: Everything is illusion, Mr. Garibaldi. Concepts of language, light, metaphor --- nothing is real. Except this blindfold. Which you will put on now. Otherwise we turn around.

Garibaldi takes the blindfold, shaking his head. He puts it on.

Garibaldi: Won't people think it's weird to see me walk out like this?
Wade: Nah. Mr. Edgars has his own private dock. Did you know this place was named after the god of war? Its rising foretold the death of kings, collapse of empires. It was a bad sign. Now there are two million people living here.
Garibaldi: It's still a bad sign.

They continue their ride. Garibaldi's log resumes in voiceover.

Garibaldi (VO): Mars. I can't believe I'm back on Mars. I gotta be out of my mind!

ACT 1
Awake.

SPACE --- BABYLON 5

A Vree saucer is among the alien ships guarding the station today, joining the Minbari and Brakiri ships we saw previously.

MEDLAB

Dr. Franklin is trying to find the key to freeing the frozen telepaths from their Shadow implants. One of them has been removed from his freezer and been thawed out, but still sedated. Franklin's attempts are not going well.

Computer: Warning. Respiration decreasing. Heartbeat irregular. Cerebral activity approaching critical. Cardio failure predicted in thirty seconds. Twenty seconds.

Franklin stops fiddling with the implants and steps away from the patient. The computer finds this a good thing.

Computer: Patient life signs stabilizing. Returning to nominal.

Franklin pulls off his gloves, stymied. Zack Allan appears at the isolab window and hollers a greeting.

Zack: Any luck, Doc?
Franklin [exasperated]: Zip! Shadow implants have defense systems on top of defense systems! [Steps out of the isolab.] Augh! You know, I tried going in surgically from unaffected parts of the brain. I tried freezing it off! I can't even move one of the epidermal implants aside without it trying to kill the patient!
Zack: Well, we know they wanted to use the telepaths for their ships. Guess once they got you they don't want to let you go, hm?
Franklin: I can't even bring in the heavy scanners! Everything has to be isolated off the primary computer systems because when they wake up, they bond instantly to any computer system nearby! They're immediately hostile! I can't take the risk, not after what happened the last time! And the Captain! The Captain, he just keeps bugging me about this every time he calls!

Doc seems to be fraying around the edges. If we didn't know he was off the stims -----

Zack: Did he tell you why?
Franklin: No. No, he does not tell me why, and that just makes it even more frustrating! These implants are beyond anything I've ever encountered before! And after a while, you know, that really starts to annoy me! I should be able to figure this out. It gets away from me every time.
Zack: Ah, well, you'll work it out. You always do!
Franklin: I just wish I knew why the Captain was in such a hurry about this all of a sudden! [Notices another doctor needing his attention.] Yeah, I'll be right back.

As the doctor steps away, Lyta Alexander enters, looking for Zack.

Lyta: Zack! Ivanova said you were looking for me?
Zack: Oh, Lyta, yeah! We got a guy in Medlab 4 who was mugged in Down Below. Now, we think we got the perp, but the victim's pretty shook up, doesn't remember much of what happened. We need confirmation that this is the guy who did it.
Lyta: I can't scan a suspect in a criminal investigation, Zack! You know that, it's a violation of due process!
Zack: Relax! It's the victim who wants to be scanned! Now, you'll go into his head, look around, see if you can help him remember anything. If you can pull a visual ID on the guy, we'll have you do a lineup and we'll take it from there.
Lyta [mollified, thinks it over]: Standard commission. Plus ten percent stress fee if I have to relive the attack.
Zack [pleased]: Done. Just let me tell him we're coming.

Zack leaves the room. Lyta turns and notices the telepath in the isolab. As she looks at him, she hears a Shadow scream in her mind. The man's eyelids begin to twitch. A second and a third scream --- and the man's eyes open.

Across the room, Franklin is still talking with the other doctor. The other doctor's eyes drift over to the isolab, and she suddenly drops the notepad she's is carrying, her mouth and eyes wide open. Franklin turns to follow her gaze. He finds Lyta standing on this side of the isolab glass, and the patient standing on the other. The man presses his right hand against the glass and she does the same. Her eyes bore into his. The man appears to be trying to speak, but he cannot.

Franklin [amazed]: Lyta!

Jarred back into the present, Lyta whirls around, pulling her hand off the glass. Instantly, the man falls unconscious to the deck. Lyta looks confused. What just happened? For his part, Franklin looks as if he's had his first good news in a long time.

While Franklin focuses on the patient, Lyta takes advantage of her moment out of the spotlight to slip away. She's embarrassed that she has somehow botched the doctor's experiment.

MARS

Inside the dome, the city center seems to consist of a cluster of smallish skyscrapers. Nearby we find a house in a park-like setting. It's not huge, just barely larger than the tennis court in the back yard. Inside the house, Michael paces the small but luxurious living room. Lise enters, stopping short when she sees him. It's an awkward moment.

Garibaldi: Hello, Lise.
Lise: Michael. You shouldn't have come. Not now.
Garibaldi: Why? A man's got a right to meet his employer face to face.
Lise: This isn't a good time.
Garibaldi: Ah, well, at least we're consistent. There never has been a good time for us, has there?
Lise: It's just...

Lise stops, for her husband has just stepped into the room. Then she continues. What she says may or may not be what she'd intended to say.

Lise: ...things are very busy right now. William has a lot...
Edgars: It's all right, Lise. Our guest has come a long way on a hard road. I hope the trip wasn't too difficult. [Shakes hands with Garibaldi.]
Garibaldi: I've had worse.
Edgars: I'm sure you have. [To Lise:] Beatrice was looking for you. She had some questions about dinner. Do you think you could, uh...
Lise [takes the hint]: Yes, of course. Michael. [Leaves the room.]
Edgars: I apologize for the smallness of the house. As you know, space is at a premium on Mars. And since this is where we have our corporate headquarters, I have to spend at least six months a year here or lose half my tax benefits. [Steps over to the bar.] Would you...?
Garibaldi: Thank you, no, I don't...
Edgars: No, you, you don't drink anymore, I know. I make it a point to know all I can about my employees. There's, um, juice, mineral water...
Garibaldi: No, thank you.
Edgars: Next time, you'll have to come see us back on Earth. Five hundred acres of watershed land! [Having fixed himself a drink, he sits down on the couch, Garibaldi following suit.] The more I'm in the Dome, the more I miss it! As I said, a long way on a hard road! I said I'd ask you to come when the time was right. You insisted on seeing me now. Why?
Garibaldi: Because I got tired of not seeing the face of the man that I work for. And I want to know what the hell it is I've been helping you smuggle past B5 customs. And because somebody's gotta stop Sheridan's war against Earth!
Edgars [playing it cagey]: I'm just a businessman, Mr. Garibaldi.
Garibaldi: Don't play me for stupid. Edgars Pharmaceutical is the fourth-largest megacorp back home. The chemical weapons division is one of the major suppliers to Earthforce, and you've got at least two dozen lobbyists working Earthdome. And --- you practically bought Senator Claxby's re-election.
Edgars: Yes, well, that was before President Clark's night of the long knives last year.
Garibaldi: It doesn't matter. You got people who owe you big time. People in high places.
Edgars: And what exactly do you think I can do for you?
Garibaldi [gets up to pace]: Look. I don't trust Clark.
Edgars: Yes, well, who does? Many of us believed he was behind President Santiago's assassination long before your people leaked anything. He's out of control, he's running scared, he needs to be stopped! But not by a military action! We have to work from inside the system.
Garibaldi: That's just what I'm saying! Unless Sheridan's stopped, he'll tear Earth apart! Now, if you ask me, I think he wants to take over himself! I can't let him do that! But I won't turn him over to Clark either. He'd be dead in a second! Someone like you, in your position, you could intervene on his behalf, get him the proper treatment.
Edgars: Not to sound totally self-involved, but what's in it for me? If I give him protection, I see plenty of risk, but no profit.
Garibaldi: You get to be the hero. It's good for business, good for Earth, and the next guy in office is gonna owe you big time! I mean, who knows? You could be the next guy in office.
Edgars: It's an intriguing proposition, Michael. Let me think about it. [Stands.] You're halfway to the truth. I have to decide whether or not to bring you in the rest of the way. But just so you understand, I won't do anything until I know I can trust you. And, I suspect, you won't do anything until you know you can trust me! It's gonna be a very interesting weekend, Mr. Garibaldi!

ACT 2
Scanning Garibaldi.

MARS --- EVENING

The night wind whistles around the Dome under a darkened sky.

EDGARS' HOUSE

Wade ushers Garibaldi into his sleeping quarters, a conventional bedroom containing a double bed, a night table, and a small chest of drawers. It looks to be about nine feet square.

Wade: This is where you'll bunk for now.
Garibaldi [sarcastic]: Oh, no, come on, I couldn't possibly! I mean, it's just much too big!
Wade: Well, I could change that if...
Garibaldi: Aah, no-no-no, that's all right. Please don't inconvenience yourself on my behalf. [Drops his bag on the bed.] When do I get to see Edgars again?
Wade: When he sends for you.
Garibaldi: Which is when?
Wade: Which is five minutes after he sends for me to send for you. Good night, Mr. Garibaldi. Try not to touch anything. [He's joking. As if there were anything in the room to touch! And he leaves.]
Garibaldi [mocking, under his breath]: "Try not to touch anything!" There! Touch that! [Pokes a lamp. Then he starts poking at random --- the wall, the door, the chest, everywhere.] Touch, touch, touch, touch, touch!

Garibaldi picks up his bag and drops it on the floor. He drops himself onto the bed and lies back.

BABYLON 5 --- RED SECTOR

Stepping out of a tube, Franklin spies Lyta walking away from him and calls after her.

Franklin: Lyta! Wait up!
Lyta [over her shoulder]: I can't. I'm late!
Franklin [running]: No, this --- this'll just take a minute! [Takes her arm gently, and she stops.]
Lyta: Look, I am sorry I messed up your experiment, what --- ever you were doing back there.
Franklin: Is that why you ran off like that? [She nods, embarrassed.] No, no, no! You didn't mess anything up! You got a reaction out of one of my patients! For those few second, he was conscious and responding without being a danger to himself or others! I'd like to know how you did it!
Lyta: I was just looking at him, and I heard a sound --- in my head.
Franklin: What kind of sound?
Lyta: It s... --- I don't even know if you're gonna believe me. It sounded like the scream a Shadow vessel makes when it goes by. When I heard it, I just reacted instinctively. I --- I made it go away. That's when he woke up.
Franklin: Interesting. Look, can you come back after this other job? I'd like to run some tests.
Lyta [trying to turn away]: No, I --- I ---
Franklin [takes her by the arm again]: Lyta, please. Look, now --- They're your own people, right? They're telepaths. Now, I know you have problems with the Corps, but --- you should at least try and help them! [Besides, they're not Corps. They're blips like her.]
Lyta [shakes her head]: All right. I'll see what I can do.

Lyta walks off still shaking her head, no doubt saying to herself, "I can't believe I'm letting myself get sucked in again." Franklin rubs his hands together in glee and runs off the other way.

MARS --- GARIBALDI'S BEDROOM

Garibaldi sleeps in his now-darkened room. The door bursts open and three men, all covered in black from top to bottom, rush in. Garibaldi, jarred out of his sleep by the sound and the light from the hall, is too out of it to make any real defense as the men silently grab him and hustle him out of the room.

AN INTERROGATION ROOM

The three men thrust Garibaldi into the room and close the door behind him as they leave. He finds himself facing a woman seated at a card table, an empty chair on his side of the table. The only light shines directly down on the woman and the table, leaving the rest of the room in gloom. There is a mirror in the side wall. A voice comes from the wall. (Isn't it interesting that Edgars' little house should have such a room? Or has Garibaldi been dragged across the city to Edgars Industries' offices?)

Edgars (voice): Don't be concerned, Mr. Garibaldi. Everything's fine! You're in no imminent danger.
Garibaldi [ignores the chair, begins pacing]: Yeah, thanks for the reassurance! So who's she? What's she doing here?

As we see the woman from the front, we see that she wears the Psi Corps badge and gloves.

Edgars: She is a telepath, Mr. Garibaldi. She knows nothing of our situation here or our discussion. I have hired her for a surface scan only. She will not probe deeply, will not know the context of our discussion.

Garibaldi paces round and round the room, circling the table. The woman's eyes follow his movements when he is in view --- but she does not turn her head.

Edgars: She will only tell me if you are telling the truth when you answer. Do you understand?
Garibaldi: Oh, yeah, I understand. So why the muscle?
Edgars: So you'd have no time to prepare mentally. I want your heart rate fast, your thoughts jumbled, to guard against any blocks or attempts to mislead us. Now, for starters, I want you to tell what you think about telepaths.

Garibaldi pauses. He looks directly at the woman. It's gonna be awkward.

Garibaldi: Telepaths. [Looks over toward the mirror. Breathes heavily.] Well, I ---
Edgars: Feel free to be honest, Mr. Garibaldi. Her job is to report, not to be offended by your opinions. Go on!
Garibaldi: I don't trust them. Never have, never will. [Resumes circling the room.]
Edgars: Why?
Garibaldi: I don't like the idea of somebody having the power to get inside my head.
Edgars: There are safeguards.
Garibaldi: They're not worth a damn to anybody! They'll never trust us! We'll always be jealous of them, afraid of them! They could lie to us and we'd never know, but if we lie to them, they know! How do you stop a conspiracy when you have no evidence, no record? It all takes place in thoughts exchanged from one telepath to another to another! [Stops near the mirror.] Sooner or later this is gonna get ugly. I just hope I'm not alive to see it happen.
Edgars: Then you believe they're a menace to society?
Garibaldi: The biggest one we've got!

To her credit, the telepath has sat through all this impassively, showing no sign of any emotion.

Edgars: When you told me you wanted to help me locate and secure someone, were you telling the truth?
Garibaldi [circling the room again]: Yes.
Edgars: And you have a guaranteed means of doing this?
Garibaldi: I do.

The telepath nods toward the mirror --- that's the truth. Garibaldi stops and looks directly into the mirror.

Edgars: You said you wanted to know the real reason behind your employment. I've already given you a reason: to keep the pharmaceuticals now under development by my company safe from competitors. Why isn't that a good enough reason?
Garibaldi: Because if somebody in your position wants to protect something, you pay off the big boys and they give you a whole damn ship to yourself! You only hire a guy like me if you've got something to hide! [Starts walking again.] It's not your competitors you're worried about. It's your neck if you get caught!
Edgars: So you assume I'm lying?
Garibaldi: Everybody lies.
Edgars: That's a very sad view of the universe, Mr. Garibaldi.
Garibaldi: Yeah, well, it's the only one I got! And it works for me.
Edgars: I understand you disappeared from Babylon 5 for some time this past January. Do you know what happened to you?
Garibaldi: No. I don't remember anything.

The telepath nods to the mirror again --- it's true.

Edgars: Thank you, Mr. Garibaldi. You may go now. [Garibaldi makes it halfway to the door.] Oh, one more thing. Are you still in love with my wife?
Garibaldi [caught off guard]: What?
Edgars: It's a very straightforward question, Mr. Garibaldi. Are you still in love with my wife?
Garibaldi: No. No, I'm not.
Edgars: Thank you. You may return to your room now.

Garibaldi goes out the door. The telepath looks to the mirror. She shakes her head. Garibaldi's last answer was a lie. But we knew that.

Edgars: Thank you, Ms. Constance. Mr. Wade will attend to your payment.

EDGARS' LIVING ROOM

Lise is sitting alone, apparently thinking. Edgars comes in, surprised to find her there.

Edgars: You should be in bed.
Lise: I couldn't sleep. Did it go all right?
Edgars: Fine, fine.
Lise: Did he, uh, say anything about me?
Edgars: No, it never came up. I think he's put it all behind him.
Lise: Good. That's good. [Puts on a smile as she rises to start unbuttoning his shirt.] As long as you're comfortable with him.
Edgars: I think he'll be a fine addition. Don't worry. [Kisses her on the cheek.] Everything's gonna be just fine.

Lise watches him go as he leaves by the opposite door.

THE INTERROGATION ROOM

Ms. Constance picks up her overcoat from the back of her chair, drapes it over her arm, and turns toward the door. It opens. Wade steps in. Without a word, he draws a PPG, aims and fires. Paid in full.

ACT 3
William Edgars: kingmaker.

MEDLAB

Franklin is continuing his experiments with the telepath we saw earlier, now with Lyta's assistance. She stands outside the isolab glass.

Franklin: All right, almost ready. Just one more.
Lyta: What do you want me to do?
Franklin: Well --- do whatever you did the first time. Just do it more slowly. I'll be able to monitor any changes in his brain waves caused by direct contact with your thoughts. With any luck, this will help me find a way to stimulate those same brain waves artificially, build a kind of a feedback loop. If it works, at least we'll be able to communicate with him.
Lyta: What about the implants?
Franklin: Getting those out will take longer. But if we can work around the implants, talk to them without them turning violent or uncontrollable, that'll be a start. All right. I think I'm ready. Computer, begin recording!
Computer: Recording active.
Franklin [to Lyta]: All right. Now remember, take it slow. I need to see what you do at every stage, all right?

Lyta nods and begins to insinuate her mind into the telepath. Franklin stands over the patient, holding a handheld scanner inches from the man's face. The thing looks a little like some sort of drill. A monitor nearby traces brainwave activity. The trace suddenly changes, the waves pulsing at a higher frequency.

Franklin: All right, I'm getting a ten percent increase in brain wave activity. [Lyta continues mentally probing the man.] A fifteen percent increase in respiration and heartbeat! Ease up a little, all right? Take him up slow.

As Lyta eases off, the brain waves go back to the first pattern.

Franklin: Interesting. Every time you push telepathically, it slows down the production of acetylcholine. The implants may be stimulating the production of brain accelerants, making it work faster! Which is necessary if you've been turned into the central processing center of a Shadow vessel. But without control or direction, the brain functions become erratic or distorted! They start casting about, looking for something to do! And when it doesn't find it, it starts tearing itself apart and anything nearby!

While Franklin has been talking, Lyta has been continuing to bring the man up slowly. Now she hears that Shadow scream again. The man opens his eyes. Standing over him is Franklin with his scanner --- but what the man sees is the alien surgeons who put the implants in him, one of whom is leaning in with a nasty drill to bore a hole in his head.

Franklin: Getting a ten perce...

The man cuts off the doctor's monologue by reaching out like lightning and taking him by the throat. Franklin manages to croak out a few words.

Franklin: It's all right! You're safe! No one's gonna hurt you!
Patient: The machines ------ are gone?
Franklin [still being choked]: Yes, the machine --- The Shadow vessels are gone! They're not gonna hurt you!
Patient [anguished]: Then --- what am I? Why --- am I?

The man squeezes harder, and then throws the barely conscious doctor to the deck. He turns to Lyta.

Patient: I --- can't --- live like this!

With Lyta still trying to work within his mind, he picks up a scalpel and holds it, two-handed, as if to stab himself in the neck. But he can't do it --- something is preventing him. As Franklin gets back to his feet and reaches out to stop the patient, the man turns to Lyta. He knows what is stopping him.

Lyta [with great effort]: I can't ------ let you ------ do that. I'm sorry. Go to sleep now.

The patient drops as if a switch has been turned off, Franklin catching him. Cut loose from the man's mind, Lyta shakes her head to clear her mind. She turns and walks away unsteadily.

EDGARS' HOUSE

Garibaldi walks into the living room and exchanges good mornings with his host.

Edgars: Would you like some orange juice? Costs a fortune to have it shipped up, but, uh, people in my position are expected to have a few eccentricities. [Garibaldi takes the proffered glass.] When I was a kid I spent my summers with my uncle on a farm in Valencia, California. We always had fresh orange juice every morning on the table. Those were good years! Simpler. A lot simpler! [He sits. Garibaldi does not.]
Garibaldi: Look, I went through your tests. I assume I passed, or we wouldn't be standing here. I did my part. Now do yours. What's this all about?
Edgars: Do you know how the ancient Greeks defined happiness?
Garibaldi [sighs]: Not offhand, but I'd be willing to bet it involved three goats and a jug of wine. [Sits down.]
Edgars: Happiness, they said, was the exercise of vital powers along lines of excellence in a life affording them scope. Humans have always struggled to find the outer edge of what's possible. And that's our strength! But what kind of world would we have, what options for happiness would we have, in a society run by telepaths, where ordinary humans are considered second-class citizens, and privacy is something you don't even risk dreaming about? Would you like to live in that kind of world, Mr. Garibaldi?
Garibaldi: No. No, I wouldn't.
Edgars: But you know it's coming, don't you?
Garibaldi [nods]: There are a few Psi Cops out there who think they should be running the whole show, but they don't have anywhere near the kind of power to pull off anything like this.
Edgars: Not yet. But that's changing.
Garibaldi: Come on, look. Yeah, even if they tried something, they'd be outnumbered ten thousand to one!
Edgars [shakes his head, grinning]: You're thinking in old terms, of force of arms! But times have changed. We're talking a war of information. A war of secrets. A war of intimidation. Once they take off those badges, can you tell a telepath from a normal? They don't have to be everywhere to make people believe they might be living next door. You want your secrets exposed, your most private thoughts broadcast for the world to hear?
Garibaldi: No, but it can't...
Edgars: How many people actually belonged to the Nazi Party? The Communist Party? The Jihad Party? A very small number! But there were always plenty of other people who were happy to do the work for them, and others afraid enough to let it happen!
Garibaldi [shaking his head]: In order for them to take power, they'd need an army!
Edgars: You're still laboring under the notion that people take power! Nobody takes power! They're given power by the rest of us, because we're stupid or afraid or both! The Germans in 1939. The Russians in 1917 and 2013. The Iraqis in 2025. The French in 2112. They handed over power to people they thought could settle scores! Get the trains running on time! Restore their prestige! They did it because it was what they wanted! Afterwards, like children who have eaten too much candy after dinner, they denied it was their fault! "No, it was them!" [Chuckles.] It's always them. Today, President Clark has the power, and we gave it to him because we're afraid of the aliens and afraid of ourselves.
Garibaldi: And now he's giving it to the telepaths.
Edgars: Clark wants complete and total loyalty! When he was Vice President, he instituted loyalty tests. But you can fool a test. You can't fool a telepath! So he started bringing them into the process. President Santiago objected, but he made the mistake of underestimating the opposition. Clark wanted power! I don't have a problem with that. No one but a fool ever walked away from real power! But he began taking unacceptable risks! He eliminated Santiago ------ with outside help. I don't know the full story. Only that there were aliens involved and they promised him all the power he could want!
Garibaldi: But he wanted an ace or two up his sleeve.
Edgars: He knew they were interested in the Psi Corps. And if they were interested, then he was interested. They were his insurance policy against the aliens, and his means for gaining more power. He created the Night Watch, started putting his people into important positions, with telepaths alongside for security. He gave them unprecedented authority! And if you think they'll let go of that power once he's gone, you're gravely mistaken.
Garibaldi: Well, what does Captain Sheridan have to do with all this?
Edgars: If Sheridan tries to force a military showdown, Clark will cut the final ties that hold the Psi Corps in check. He'll turn it into a military and police force answerable only to him!
Garibaldi: Thought police.
Edgars: Exactly. Once that happens, they'll never let go! There are --- other ways to fix this. Clark's an amateur. He still thinks he's in charge.
Garibaldi: Isn't he?
Edgars: The megacorporations have been running things for years! We just don't show ourselves much. People wouldn't understand. So we --- let them think they still have a voice. We let Clark have his way because we didn't see this telepath thing coming until it was too late. Now it's a threat to our business interests, and we'll fix it. In our own way. Quietly. Behind the scenes. We just need a little more time to make this work. Sheridan's campaign threatens to disrupt our timetable! He's just making Clark more paranoid by giving him a real enemy!
Garibaldi: And the more paranoid he gets, the more power he gives to Psi Corps! But how do you stop the Corps...

Garibaldi stops short --- Lise has just stepped into the room.

Lise: Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know that you were, uh... [Edgars gets up.] I just came here to tell you that breakfast is ready.
Edgars: That's fine, Lise. I'll be right there. [To Garibaldi:] Perhaps you'd care to join us.
Garibaldi: No. Thank you. I've got some thinking to do.
Edgars [smiles broadly]: I'm sure you have.
Garibaldi [as Lise goes back out]: Uh --- Mr. Edgars? What you just told me --- is that the whole truth?
Edgars: It's as close to the truth as you or anyone else will ever get, Mr. Garibaldi, but it should be enough for you to decide if you can trust me the way I now trust you. Once you decide you're in all the way, I'll tell you the rest. We're going to change the world, Mr. Garibaldi. I hope you'll work with me.

ACT 4
Secret experiment.

SPACE

The liberation fleet continues on its way. White Star 2, with its distinctive paint job, flies alongside EAS Furies, and we notice that there is even a freighter in the formation, no doubt a supply ship. Seated on the bridge of his flagship, Sheridan is communicating with Commander Ivanova back on Babylon 5. She appears to him as an enormous holographic head. (And back on B5, she sees him on an ordinary video monitor.)

Sheridan: How's everything else?
Ivanova: So far, so good. Clark sent over a couple of destroyers this morning, trying to weaken our defenses.
Sheridan [concerned]: What happened?
Ivanova: They changed sides as soon as they got here. We sent them your way. They should catch up with you by the next jump point.
Sheridan: That's five so far today! [Chuckles.] Any more defections and this little war is gonna be really one-sided!
Ivanova [smiling]: You sound disappointed.
Sheridan: I'm not. I just start to worry when things are going too well. Any word from Delenn?
Ivanova: She finished her work on Minbar. She's heading back here. She should be arriving in a couple of days.
Sheridan [big smile]: Good! Anything else?
Ivanova: Nope! All quiet on the Epsilon front! Anything else you want me to do from this end?
Sheridan: Yeah, transfer me over to Stephen. I want to see how he's doing with the telepaths.

MEDLAB

Stephen, immersed in studying a computer readout, reacts brusquely to the chirp of the Babcom.

Franklin: Not now!
Ivanova (voice): Stephen, it's the Captain! [He doesn't respond.] Stephen?
Franklin [annoyed]: All right, all right! Just a sec!
Sheridan [appears on Babcom screen]: Stephen. Just thought I'd check in, see how things were going.
Franklin [shakes his head]: I, uh ------ think I found a way to neutralize the implants for brief periods of time. We're setting up a, uh, an amplifier system that will echo Lyta's telepathic commands and ------ [rubs his face, tired and impatient] --- Look, it's - it's - it's - it's really complicated right now and I'm trying to keep it all in my head, so...
Sheridan: When do you think you can get them up and running?
Franklin [floundering]: I don't know.
Sheridan: This is important, Stephen!
Franklin [gets really testy]: Why? Why is this so important? Now, if you want me to do this right, I need to know what this is all about!
Sheridan: Stephen...
Franklin: I mean it!

Sheridan thinks, swallows, and reaches for some buttons on his console.

Sheridan: All right. I'm encoding this message every three seconds, so program your system to keep up. [Franklin punches some buttons.] Are there any other personnel around?
Franklin [looks around]: Well yeah, a few, but...
Sheridan: This is private!
Franklin [to the Medlab staff]: All right, everybody, take a break! Get something to eat, grab some sleep, just - just go! Come on, hurry up! Everybody, let's go! Go, go, go! [To Sheridan:] All right, go ahead.
Sheridan: Stephen, I've asked some hard things of you in the past. This may be the hardest of all. I don't think you're gonna like it, but we don't have much choice.

BLUE SECTOR --- OUTSIDE MEDLAB

A minute or two later, Stephen steps out into the corridor, looking stunned. Lyta walks around a corner and calls out to him.

Lyta: Stephen! [Notices his look.] Are you all right?
Franklin [looks off at nothing]: No. No, I am definitely not all right! When Sheridan came back from Z'ha'dum, everyone talked about how different he was! Harder. More determined. I really didn't see it. I mean, aside from the --- from some physiological changes, it was Sheridan, same as ever. The Sheridan I know, he never would have told me what this one just did. [Sighs.] He's right, he's right. It's the only way. I just wish the hell that he was wrong. [Shifts gears.] I have a long-term job for you. You available? [She nods --- eagerly.] Good. Start packing. We leave in a few days, as soon as I take care of everything.
Lyta: Where are we going?
Franklin: Mars.

Franklin walks off, while the implications sink in for Lyta. Sucked in again!

MARS --- GARIBALDI'S BEDROOM

Garibaldi is sitting on his bed, deep in thought, when someone knocks on the door. Lise comes in with a tray.

Lise: You missed your dinner. I thought I'd bring you some food.

Garibaldi turns away from her, giving her the cold shoulder. Lise simply sets the tray on the chest of drawers and turns to leave.

Michael [speaking to the wall]: You know, when I look at you two together, I just can't figure it out. [Lise stops in the doorway.] I mean, aside from having more money than God and homes on Mars, Earth, Io and who knows where else, having fresh orange juice delivered all the way from Earth just so he can relive his youth ---- what does he have that I don't have? [Finally turns to Lise.] Why him instead of me?
Lise: Michael... [Steps back into the room, closing the door.]
Michael: Is it the money?
Lise [offended]: No!
Michael: Do you love him?
Lise [gently]: Yes. Yes, I do. He's a good man.
Michael: Well, then, why did you warn me off when I first got here?
Lise: I'm just concerned, that's all. I don't know all of what's going on, but I know he's putting himself at risk, reaching too far. I don't want anything to happen to him. Or you.
Michael [tries not to show that he's touched]: Well. At least you're concerned now. [Oh, the hell with it. He goes for broke, standing up and walking to her.] You know, when you got free, you coulda --- you could have told me! Maybe we could've got back some of what we had before!
Lise [finally lets loose the floodgates of years of heartache]: I never knew what we had! When we were together before, I never knew when I'd see you again or if I'd ever see you again! I was the one who always had to carry the relationship! I was the one who had to call! I was the one who had to remind you when Christmas came around that, while it doesn't mean anything to you, it means a whole hell of a lot to me! Until I finally woke up and realized that people like you don't marry other people! You marry the job! Twenty-four hours a day, and everybody else is just excess baggage!
Michael [shakes his head]: I never said that to you!
Lise: No. But in three years, you never said you loved me until I said it to you first! And from where I sit, that means the same damn thing! [Goes to the door and opens it. But she stops --- there's more.] After Franz left, I was a mess! [Now she's crying.] And you were eighteen light years away! I was working as a secretary to make ends meet when I found Bill! He was kind, and he was gentle! And most of all, he was there! If I had called you --- [long pause --- she's afraid to ask the question] --- would you have left Babylon 5 and come back to Mars? Would you?
Michael: I don't know.
Lise [crying]: That's the problem, Michael! I'm getting too old for "I don't know"! What I do know is that Bill cares for me! [Turns to the door.]
Michael [hurries to her]: No, Lise! Lise! Please listen. [Closes the door.] Listen, I am sorry. I'm so, so sorry! [Sniffles --- his waterworks is going too.] I never meant to hurt you. I loved you! I don't think I ever really stopped.
Lise: I'm sorry too! [Long pause, as we wonder whether they'll fall into each other's arms. But no.] Eat your dinner. It'll get cold!

She slips out the door, still crying. Michael turns away, alone again with his thoughts.

EDGARS INDUSTRIES --- A MEDICAL LABORATORY

What we see of the lab is just three hospital beds with patients under identical oxygen/isolation tents. Wade is watching over the three subjects, along with a pair of nurses. Wade is mildly surprised to see Edgars step into the room.

Wade: Mr. Edgars! Shouldn't you be resting? You've had a long day.
Edgars: I just thought I'd see how things were going. We're at a critical stage. Can't afford any mistakes.

Edgars walks over to the bedside of the middle patient. He seats himself on the neighboring bed behind him. As we move closer in, we see that the man's face is covered with nasty-looking lesions; he looks like a leper. He's awake, but very weak. Leaning in, Edgars slides his hand under the tent and touches the man's forehead tenderly. Wade voices his misgivings.

Wade: I wish you wouldn't.
Edgars: It's all right. It's a terrible thing to die alone, Wade. We can afford a little human compassion. He can't infect me. How long has he been off the drug?
Wade: Five days.
Edgars: Hm. Symptoms are occurring faster than before. [The man groans weakly, and Edgars reassures him.] I know. I know it hurts. Part of the process. I can only tell you it'll be over soon. [Edgars gets up, and he and Wade step away from the patient. They speak privately.] I want him put down.
Wade: Shouldn't they finish the tests?
Edgars: We know it works. There's no need to prolong this. Put him down. Put them all down! There's enough pain in the universe already! Let's not add to it until we have to!

Edgars walks out, leaving Wade and the nurses to finish up.

TAG
In or out?

EDGARS' LIVING ROOM

Seated on the sofa, Edgars is reading from a book with a flexible black leather binding. Garibaldi steps in and stops at the door, waiting to be noticed.

Edgars [looking up]: Oh, Mr. Garibaldi! Sorry, I didn't hear you come in.
Garibaldi: I --- I didn't mean to bother you. I can come back another...
Edgars: No, no, no. It's fine. You're up late! [As he closes the book, we see that it's typeset in double columns.]
Garibaldi: Yeah, uh ---- I've just been thinking about a lot of things.
Edgars: And where have your thoughts brought you?
Garibaldi: Well, you told me to let you know when I decided, when I'm in all the way. I've decided. I'm in.
Edgars: I'm very please to hear that.
Garibaldi: So --- what's the rest? [Edgars looks up at him, but doesn't speak.] Well, you told me you'd tell me the rest of it when I decided.
Edgars [rising]: Saying you've decided isn't the same thing as demonstrating your sincerity! You showed me a little of that earlier, and I returned the favor. Now it's your turn again.
Garibaldi: All right. So how do I prove I'm in all the way?
Edgars: Give me Sheridan. Let me turn him over to President Clark. Do that, and I'll tell you the rest.
Garibaldi [out of his comfort zone]: What's the hurry?
Edgars: We need Clark to think he's secure in his position so we can buy some time to get our pieces into place. If we give him Sheridan, he'll drop his guard and we can do what we have to.
Garibaldi [shakes his head, biting his lip]: I'll turn him over to you. I won't turn him over to Clark. He'd be killed in...
Edgars: Not before he can be formally charged! Clark's an amateur, not a fool! He'll want to go through the motions of a hearing. We'll move before that happens.
Garibaldi [still shaking his head]: You're asking a lot!
Edgars: I know. That's why we approached you in the first place. You know him better than most people, and you recognize the threat he represents. We have to take him out of the picture! You know it, and I know it! And now it's time! If you're sincere, then prove it! If not, we have nothing more to talk about!

Edgars turns away while Garibaldi wrestles with his conscience for a long moment.

Garibaldi: You get to Sheridan ------ through his father.
Edgars [turns back, puzzled]: Nobody knows where he is! Clark's people have been turning Earth upside down and haven't been able to find him!
Garibaldi: They can't. But I can! His father has a rare blood disease. Requires he takes regular injections of tenastacine.
Edgars: That's a Centauri drug. We supply it to a number of hospitals back home. Very rare, very expensive!
Garibaldi: Which makes it very easy to track. Wherever he goes, he has to keep taking the medicine. My guess is he didn't have time to buy a lot of it before he went into hiding. He probably has a friend handling the prescription, but it shouldn't take long to find a bogus entry in the med records. You get him, you can get Sheridan.
Edgars: We, uh --- we still need someone to set him up --- and bring him down.
Garibaldi: I can do that.
Edgars: Are you sure?
Garibaldi: Yeah. I'm sure. I'll head back to Dome 1 tomorrow, start setting things up. [Heads for the door.]
Edgars: You're doing the right thing, Michael. [Sounds eerily familiar. Didn't we go through all this before (Point of No Return)?] I hope you understand that.

Garibaldi doesn't reply. Hands stuffed into his pockets, he slouches away.

Garibaldi (voiceover): Mars!

THE TUBE SHUTTLE

A shuttle car zips away from the dome.

Garibaldi (VO): Three times before, this place almost killed me!

Inside the car, Garibaldi is still wrestling with himself.

Garibaldi (VO): And now I've finally finished the job! I can't feel anything anymore. I don't know what I care about anymore. Except Lise. I screwed up both our lives pretty good. Now I get to make up for it. Assuming any of us can ever make up for anything we've done in the past. Maybe we can't. Maybe we just have to live with it and get on with it, and do what we have to. Never what we want to. It has to be done. I hope he can see that some day.

The car shrinks into the distance.

The End.